Modern Doctor in Ancient Times The Story of Galen

Aelius Galenus, also known as Galen of Pergamon, was born in 129 AD in Pergamon (now in Turkey and then part of the Roman Empire). Galen is considered one of the most influential Doctors who ever lived.

Galen’s approach to medicine was surprisingly modern, and he served as a doctor to a series of Roman Emperors. In addition to being a physician, Galen was also a surgeon, psychologist, writer, and philosopher. A study of Galen’s life provides essential perspectives on:

• The history of medical advances and the constant, still present, battle between practical approaches to health and quackery
• Knowledge advances slowly but can also be lost to generations in sudden spurts. We should not take our present positions and benefits for granted. We need to continually nurture and help sustain an environment for further advances in all the sciences, medicine, the arts, music, and the humanities.
• Galen lived during a lethal pandemic. This was the plague that ravaged the Roman Empire from 165 AD to 180 AD. The effects of that pandemic changed the ancient Roman world dramatically. In our present circumstances, with Covid 19 still a serious threat, we should be aware about how this could impact the future of our societies, our lives as well as that of our children.

Early Life

Galen was born into a wealthy family. Galen’s father was an architect and mathematician and ensured that his son obtained the best education possible. Galen wrote that he was “fortunate in having the most just and the most devoted of fathers.” As a young student, Galen studied the classical Greek subjects of geometry, philosophy, logic, and literature, but Galen’s father advised Galen to always think through and decide matters for himself and not to blindly follow any prevailing beliefs.

When Galen was 17, his father encouraged Galen to become a doctor. Soon thereafter, when Galen was 19 years old, his father unfortunately died. Galen was left with a substantial legacy and decided to travel to important places to further his study of medicine. This was unusual as most aspiring doctors become apprentices to one or two practitioners and did not thoroughly study the subject. Galen not only spent a long-time studying medicine…